If you or someone from your family is wondering how to obtain French citizenship, read the article below. Many foreigners living in France who have French citizenship, today have a very similar history. It starts with working abroad, and with it, getting to know a new culture and new people. Everyday life in France is enchanting, and finally the country becomes so close that every person begins to feel part of it. This attitude prompts a foreigner to obtain citizenship. How to do it and what do you need to remember?
French citizenship – how to obtain it?
The available job offers abroad are an opportunity to leave and, consequently, to learn the French language and mentality. Well-used free time is, in turn, an opportunity to become involved in the life of a community, which facilitates adaptation in the country and further – permanent bond with it. There are two ways by which foreigners can obtain French citizenship. We present them below.
Marriage to a French / French citizen
After getting married to a French citizen, a minimum period of 4 years must elapse, allowing the submission of an application. During this time, the spouses must live in France. Otherwise, the time needed to submit the application is extended. If your uninterrupted stay in the country is shorter than three years, you can apply for citizenship only after 5 years.
The process of naturalization
French citizenship is also obtained through a process known as naturalization. For this to happen, a foreigner must:
- be 18 years of age,
- have a valid identity document,
- prove knowledge of French at the level of min. B1,
- prove knowledge of the history, culture and legal system of France,
- stay in France for at least 5 continuous years,
- have a certificate of no criminal record.
Another advantage in the process of applying for French citizenship is studying at French universities. After completing the classes and receiving the diploma (min. 2 years of study), the required time of stay in the country is reduced from 5 to 2 years.
Where to apply for French citizenship?
You already know how to obtain French citizenship, but you don’t know where to submit your documents? A complete list of these is available on the website of La préfecture de police, au service du public de l’agglomération parisienne (www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr). To submit them, go to the prefecture appropriate to your place of residence or, if you are outside France, to the French consulate.
Change of surname upon acquisition of French citizenship
If you are planning to apply for French citizenship, you are certainly curious about modifying your name and surname. It is possible – just fill in an additional application. However, it should be remembered that the application must be submitted by the end of the same year in which French citizenship was granted. How to change name and surname?
Change of name
Each foreigner chooses one of the three variants of name modification. Those are:
- replacing the foreigner’s first name with a French equivalent,
- adding a French first name to the foreigner’s name,
- replacing the foreigner’s first name with a new, chosen French name, which does not have to be the equivalent of the foreigner’s name.
Change of surname
As part of the surname modification, the following is proposed:
- translation of the foreigner’s surname into French,
- change of the spelling of the surname, using the French alphabet.
Are you at the beginning of your interest in French culture? Do you want to find a job in this country using secure online placement? Work in France is a broad category of offers that we publish on the Europa Jobs portal. With each of them there is information about earnings and required criteria – e.g. CV or experience in the industry.
Related entries:
Earnings in France – Minimal and average wages
Jobs in France for Kenyans – Possible types of employment
